The Craft of Research, Third Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) (Paperback)

by Wayne C. Booth (Author), Gregory G. Colomb (Author), Joseph M. Williams (Author)
Key Phrases: prospective intention, Revising Style, Quick Tip, Engaging Sources (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A well-constructed, articulate reminder of how important fundamental questions of style and approach, such as clarity and precision, are to all research." - Times Literary Supplement "I recommend it to my students... and keep a copy close at hand as the first option offered to students who ask 'Just how should I begin my research?'" - Business Library Review"

Product Description

With more than 400,000 copies now in print, The Craft of Research is the unrivaled resource for researchers at every level, from first-year undergraduates to research reporters at corporations and government offices.

 

Seasoned researchers and educators Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams present an updated third edition of their classic handbook, whose first and second editions were written in collaboration with the late Wayne C. Booth. The Craft of Research explains how to build an argument that motivates readers to accept a claim; how to anticipate the reservations of readers and to respond to them appropriately; and how to create introductions and conclusions that answer that most demanding question, “So what?”

 

The third edition includes an expanded discussion of the essential early stages of a research task: planning and drafting a paper. The authors have revised and fully updated their section on electronic research, emphasizing the need to distinguish between trustworthy sources (such as those found in libraries) and less reliable sources found with a quick Web search. A chapter on warrants has also been thoroughly reviewed to make this difficult subject easier for researchers

 

Throughout, the authors have preserved the amiable tone, the reliable voice, and the sense of directness that have made this book indispensable for anyone undertaking a research project.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 3 edition (April 15, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0226065669 ISBN-13: 978-0226065663 Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,987 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #2 in  Books > Science > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Methodology & Statistics #2 in  Books > Science > Education > Research #4 in  Books > Reference > Education > Research

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prospective intention

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Revising Style, Quick Tip, Engaging Sources, Communicating Evidence Visually, Supreme Court, South America, Drafting Your Report, Making Good Arguments, Challenging Warrants Based, Holy Land, Native American, Library of Congress, Hasbro Press, Peter the Great, The Chicago Manual of Style, Making Claims, Battle of the Alamo

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	3% buy A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) 4.6 out of 5 stars (40) $11.56
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews 5 star:  (11) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 22 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, July 17, 2008 By  R. Mitchell "research librarian" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Although there are many books on writing research or term papers, I have not found anything else which brings together material on planning, reasoning and writing the research paper as well as this book. Ignore any reviewers who make this book out to be a simplistic text. It is an excellent work on well reasoned writing that even most graduate students can benefit greatly from reading. As a professor of a graduate class on Research and Writing, I have recommended and required this book for several years. The book guides the reader from an idea of a topic, to defining a question, to formulating the conceptually signifcant research problem. It briefly covers finding, evaluating and using primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Then a major portion of the book is devoted to understanding effective reasoning in the writing process. This is based quite a bit on professor Stephen Toulmin's practical approach to effective reasoning and argumentation. The Craft of Research diagrams and explains claims, reasons, evidence and warrants. It has detailed illustrations of warrants and when to use them, as well as how to challenge them. The book has other sections on organizing, drafting,and revising a paper. It also has a chapter on communicating information visually using tables, graphs and charts. Rather than focusing on the simple mechanics or obvious steps in writing a serious research paper, this book concentrates on the more difficult tasks of clearly defining the conceptual problem and addressing it with in depth, effective reasoning. 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, December 8, 2008 By  PHILIP H. MCGEE - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    The third edition of this classic text pales when compared to the second edition. Many of the changes are cosmetic in nature and often blur what was clearly and succinctly stated in the second edition. For example, rearranging paragraphs within chapters often detract from what were logical sequences of ideas and information found in the second edition. Unfortunately, the authors, sans Booth, appear to abandon their own advice in order to create a new edition that will bolster sales. I hope the fourth edition, if there is a fourth edition, returns to the high standards one comes to expect from the University of Chicago and its press. 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to research and writing on the market today, July 24, 2008 By  Soylent Green "SG" (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews I read this book about a month before I submitted my dissertation (in U.S. history) and it convinced me to completely rewrite my introduction. That experience left me kicking myself for thinking I was too advanced for these sorts of guides and for not consulting this book earlier. The sections on formulating a topic (how to turn a general interest into a question/problem to be researched) and warrants (how to match claims to evidence) are especially helpful. Make no mistake about it, this book can help researchers at all levels, and I have had many students, both undergraduate and graduate, tell me how happy they were that they took my advice to read this book.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars The Craft of Research This book is an acceptable book for those who have no experience in conducting a formal academic research whether for the Master or PhD's degree. Read more Published 1 month ago by Majdi Quttainah 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the beginner researcher or undergrad who needs help with understanding research, especiallly the first 4 chapters This book has been a wonderful help, easy to read and understand. I am working on my dissertation and need help with writing my comprehensive exams and my project proposal. Read more Published 1 month ago by C. Wade 5.0 out of 5 stars Finally an approachable academic book This book is filled very practical advice for improving your writing and focusing the subject of your research. Read more Published 2 months ago by Brian I. Spaid 5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable research tool This book has helped me with my thesis. It is filled with easy to read information. I usually sell back my books, but not this one. Read more Published 2 months ago by Dustin Elliott 4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful The authors give very practical advice for doing a research paper. Definitely helpful for those who are not very experienced in this area. Read more Published 4 months ago by M. L. Wagner 5.0 out of 5 stars Great product! I received the product quickly and on time. It was in the correct condition as described, just like new! Read more Published 5 months ago by Vivian Y. Woo 4.0 out of 5 stars For both scientific and humanities research This is a well-written book primarily intended for researchers in the humanities. However, as someone who conducts research both in humanities and basic science, I found the book... Read more Published 5 months ago by Michael A. Chary 5.0 out of 5 stars A classic I used the 2nd edition of this book and it got me through writing my honors thesis, and now that I'm in grad school I've found it useful, as have many of my colleagues. Read more Published 8 months ago by Jennifer 5.0 out of 5 stars Clean cut and straightforward I remember picking the second edition up off the University library shelf when i was in my second year after wandering aimlessly around the shelves looking for something to read... Read more Published 8 months ago by Rob the researcher 5.0 out of 5 stars Good Antidote for "Just the Facts" Writing We all respect scientists--even budding science students--for their commitment to accuracy and objectivity. Sometimes our strengths are also our weaknesses. Read more Published 9 months ago by John M. Ford Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 3 edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226065669
• ISBN-13: 978-0226065663
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,987 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Science > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Methodology & Statistics
  #2 in	Books > Science > Education > Research
  #4 in	Books > Reference > Education > Research

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, July 17, 2008

By	R. Mitchell "research librarian" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although there are many books on writing research or term papers, I have not found anything else which brings together material on planning, reasoning and writing the research paper as well as this book. Ignore any reviewers who make this book out to be a simplistic text. It is an excellent work on well reasoned writing that even most graduate students can benefit greatly from reading. As a professor of a graduate class on Research and Writing, I have recommended and required this book for several years. The book guides the reader from an idea of a topic, to defining a question, to formulating the conceptually signifcant research problem. It briefly covers finding, evaluating and using primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Then a major portion of the book is devoted to understanding effective reasoning in the writing process. This is based quite a bit on professor Stephen Toulmin's practical approach to effective reasoning and argumentation. The Craft of Research diagrams and explains claims, reasons, evidence and warrants. It has detailed illustrations of warrants and when to use them, as well as how to challenge them. The book has other sections on organizing, drafting,and revising a paper. It also has a chapter on communicating information visually using tables, graphs and charts. Rather than focusing on the simple mechanics or obvious steps in writing a serious research paper, this book concentrates on the more difficult tasks of clearly defining the conceptual problem and addressing it with in depth, effective reasoning.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, December 8, 2008

By	PHILIP H. MCGEE - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The third edition of this classic text pales when compared to the second edition. Many of the changes are cosmetic in nature and often blur what was clearly and succinctly stated in the second edition. For example, rearranging paragraphs within chapters often detract from what were logical sequences of ideas and information found in the second edition. Unfortunately, the authors, sans Booth, appear to abandon their own advice in order to create a new edition that will bolster sales. I hope the fourth edition, if there is a fourth edition, returns to the high standards one comes to expect from the University of Chicago and its press.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to research and writing on the market today, July 24, 2008

By	Soylent Green "SG" (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

I read this book about a month before I submitted my dissertation (in U.S. history) and it convinced me to completely rewrite my introduction. That experience left me kicking myself for thinking I was too advanced for these sorts of guides and for not consulting this book earlier. The sections on formulating a topic (how to turn a general interest into a question/problem to be researched) and warrants (how to match claims to evidence) are especially helpful. Make no mistake about it, this book can help researchers at all levels, and I have had many students, both undergraduate and graduate, tell me how happy they were that they took my advice to read this book.